BajaNomad

Red Tailed Hawk, successful raptor rescue, the end.

vgabndo - 3-1-2014 at 10:11 PM

I returned to where I am staying today to find this young hawk in trouble. It was very weak but didn't seem to be injured. In asking around for help, the bird got more attention than it needed, and proved that it could run, but not fly. When left to itself in safety, with me standing guard against the curious dogs, it would drop its head in what appeared to be exhaustion.

After being called and waiting a suitably long "ratito", Jaime Morales the local rep. for the Biosphere arrived, and we were able to capture the bird and he took it to be caged, fed and watered. He's a really good guy and thought it might be an immature Cola Roja. He says there are an extraordinary number of raptors nesting nearby this year and it may have been the weaker of two nest mates who got pushed away from its place in the food supply.

I've been promised more news later. Any ID IDeas?











[Edited on 3-2-2014 by vgabndo]

[Edited on 4-3-2014 by vgabndo]

Mulegena - 3-1-2014 at 10:20 PM

Believe he's a young Harris's Hawk.

As you describe the bird is exhausted.
This is important: He'll be needing rodents to eat, I believe, unlike Osprey which are fish-eaters.
Thanks for tending to him. Am in gratitude to you, Vagabundo, and to Jaime.

Good luck, little hawk. Blessings.

Edited to add link for identification: http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Harriss_Hawk/id


[Edited on 3-2-2014 by Mulegena]

redhilltown - 3-1-2014 at 10:57 PM

Looks very young...best of luck...you are a good person.

bajadave1 - 3-2-2014 at 07:44 AM

Good on both of you. I'll chip in for a couple of mice
:rolleyes:

woody with a view - 3-2-2014 at 07:47 AM

not that the ID much matters, but try setting a trap for mice. notice the string hanging down to the dirt? fill bucket with water and viola!

woody with a view - 3-2-2014 at 07:51 AM

it would also eat lizards and ground up carne. try to mix in some of the bloody water in the bottom of the carne display in the mercado for added nutrition.

...and, wherever it is being kept needs to allow it to spread its wings but not enough room to fly yet. don't want to damage its wings. i wonder if it would return to a food source if left on the roof after he gets to associate one person as it feeder. good luck!

[Edited on 3-2-2014 by woody with a view]

grace59 - 3-2-2014 at 08:12 AM

What a beauty! It does look like an immature Harris Hawk. Thanks for getting him some help. I hope that he gains his strength and is able to be set free again. Keep us posted.

BigOly - 3-2-2014 at 09:50 AM

With that strong belly band, looks like a young Red-tailed Hawk.
Here's a RTH I photographed.

DianaT - 3-2-2014 at 10:41 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by vgabndo
.........

After being called and waiting a suitably long "ratito", Jaime Morales the local rep. for the Biosphere arrived, and we were able to capture the bird and he took it to be caged, fed and watered. He's a really good guy and thought it might be an immature Cola Roja. He says there are an extraordinary number of raptors nesting nearby this year and it may have been the weaker of two nest mates who got pushed away from its place in the food supply.

I've been promised more news later. Any ID IDeas?



Jamie and his family are the BEST and if anyone can save this beautiful creature, it is them. I wish all of you the best of luck. The bird will be VERY well cared for.


[Edited on 3-2-2014 by DianaT]

Yay, Yay, Yay for You!

Gypsy Jan - 3-2-2014 at 10:55 AM

Years ago, we had an injured Peregrine falcon (his wing was damaged) showing up on our wall every morning, hunting the doves that nest on our cliff.

Eventually, he disappeared, but the next winter, a young Peregrine showed up to hunt the doves.

I guess that Dad taught son how to get an easy meal.

BajaBlanca - 3-2-2014 at 11:38 AM

I dont understand very much, but as far as I know, it needs to be UP off the ground ... Like on a branch. Note the talons ??? It should not be left on concrete or on the ground.

vgabndo - 3-2-2014 at 11:42 AM

Thanks all, it was amazing how quickly I became invested in the well being of this little animal. I was SO happy when I heard that Jaime had answered his phone!

Oly...the images don't really capture it, but this bird had a noticeable crest on the back of the head. It could have just been feather disturbance from its crisis, but it looked very noticeable and at first I thought it might have been an Osprey chick, but it obviously wasn't.

The 3rd and 4th images show it somewhat.

The large light colored "bags" under the eyes I'm guessing are just an indication of youth.

[Edited on 3-2-2014 by vgabndo]

BigOly - 3-2-2014 at 12:01 PM

The pale eye is also a field mark for immature Red tailed Hawk.

Mulegena - 3-2-2014 at 12:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BigOly
The pale eye is also a field mark for immature Red tailed Hawk.
I'm glad Big Oly is here, Baja's wild bird expert and photographer. Thank you for a more-definitive identification.

Good advice from Woody about the food sources and from Blanca regarding providing branches for it to cling to and climb up and off the ground floor.

As far as extending its wings, the bird will determine this best as it does need to keep its muscles toned. Just keep the bird safe from threatening situations and it will not do itself harm.

Osprey - 3-2-2014 at 12:19 PM

Adult Harris' hawks have yellow beaks if that helps. This young bird looks more like a Redtail fledgling to me.

DianaT - 3-2-2014 at 12:58 PM

I am not surprised that Jamie identified it as he does know the flora and fauna around there quite well. They will do everything to help it survive; although sometimes everything is not enough.

DianaT - 3-8-2014 at 03:58 PM

I know that Jamie thought the young hawk was very weak and would die, but if anyone could connect with and care for this orphan, it would be his wife, Elide. There is no one I would rather have care for me if I needed it! Dang, I miss my special friend!

With permission, here are just a couple of the pictures Jamie put on facebook today and in honor of International Woman's Day, how appropriate. Hang in there baby bird, you are in the best of care possible.







[Edited on 3-8-2014 by DianaT]

BigOly - 3-8-2014 at 04:30 PM

XLNT!!!!!!!!!!!!

bacquito - 3-8-2014 at 04:48 PM

Great, thanks for the photos and information

BajaBlanca - 3-8-2014 at 08:13 PM

What a beauty!

Thirty two days later...

vgabndo - 4-3-2014 at 10:01 AM

I was finishing breakfast in camp this morning when Jaime drove up to tell me that he and his wife had, just yesterday, released a full grown health Red Tailed Hawk!

The story of the Morales' family's heartful effort to save the bird is told above. Jaime said that they didn't take any pictures of the release because it happened very quickly, and that they also wanted to savor the moment without worrying about a camera.

He said the little hawk was a powerful flyer from the beginning, and their worries that he would only be able to glide to nearby trees were unfounded. The bird immediately flew high in the air, and almost immediately was first challenged, then accepted by two of it's kin who allowed it to join them on the thermals.

I really don't mind starting my day with tears of joy...and I'm not ashamed to share them!:coolup:

Mexitron - 4-3-2014 at 10:33 AM

Awesome!

wessongroup - 4-3-2014 at 11:17 AM

Thanks much to all ... a nice wake up :):)

woody with a view - 4-3-2014 at 12:22 PM

you're a good man, Charlie Brown!!!

Kgryfon - 4-3-2014 at 04:48 PM

Very nice :)

grace59 - 4-3-2014 at 06:13 PM

I'm so glad that this rescue had a happy ending! Thanks for keeping us all informed.

The better mouse trap

baconjr - 4-3-2014 at 06:24 PM

I am going use this for rodent control.
Quote:
Originally posted by woody with a view
not that the ID much matters, but try setting a trap for mice. notice the string hanging down to the dirt? fill bucket with water and viola!

baconjr - 4-3-2014 at 06:37 PM

Great link! Does Biosphere have an effort around the Ensenada? Thanks